Chapter 80: A Familiar Encounter

Chapter Eighty: A Familiar Face

Baize Shao left No. 1 Chunhe Road and returned to his own home. As soon as he stepped inside, he halted, switched on the lights, and surveyed the room. Although the place appeared much as he had left it, Baize Shao, a trained agent, would never overlook the security of his residence. With a brief inspection, he was certain someone had tampered with his room. He rummaged through his belongings but found nothing missing. Still, he wondered who had come searching, and what exactly they hoped to find.

For the moment, he had no clue, but his vigilance heightened. Now, he was treading on thin ice; there could be no mistakes, for a single misstep might cost him his life.

The next day, upon arriving at the Service Bureau, Baize Shao immediately sensed a shift in atmosphere. With Old Jiang detained, even his most loyal department—the Service Bureau—had grown restless. Some within the bureau began contemplating their future paths.

From the upper echelons to the rank and file, everyone had their own considerations. The leadership, though their intentions varied, dared not make any rash decisions. Observing quietly, Baize Shao noticed that many had grown disloyal. Within the Party, opinions diverged on how to rescue Old Jiang: some advocated force, others preferred negotiation.

A week passed in a blink, and Old Jiang’s detainment remained unresolved. That day, the Service Bureau summoned all section chiefs and above to the grand hall for a briefing.

As the leader of Action Team Three, Baize Shao—though the lowest-ranking among them—qualified to attend. The purpose of the meeting was clear. Firstly, Director Dai would fly to Chang’an to attempt Old Jiang’s rescue. Secondly, arrangements were made for the bureau’s functioning after Dai’s departure.

Across the country, Service Bureau branches and provincial stations heightened their vigilance, cooperating with local military, police, and constabulary to prevent opportunists from spreading rumors and disturbing public order. Meanwhile, the Communications Section intensified surveillance and investigation of Party factions, meticulously tracking their stance and actions regarding the Chang’an Incident.

What surprised Baize Shao most was that, after Li Hongwei’s removal, Director Dai, on the eve of his departure, rapidly promoted someone to head the Communications Section—Qian Huiwen.

Baize Shao had never expected Qian Huiwen to become section chief, for the role demanded exceptional technical expertise. Qian Huiwen had merely been a confidential secretary in the Action Section; how could she possess such skills?

Monkey quickly resolved Baize Shao’s confusion. It turned out that before transferring to the Action Section as confidential secretary, Qian Huiwen had been with the Communications Section, serving as deputy chief under Li Hongwei. However, a few years earlier, something had happened that left Qian Huiwen disheartened, prompting her transfer. As for what had occurred, even Monkey—the “know-it-all”—was unclear; the matter was secretive and known to very few.

Baize Shao, though curious, did not press further.

That afternoon, as Baize Shao left the bureau to buy cigarettes, he was drawn by a commotion at the entrance. He saw a man wrapped in a trench coat arguing with the guards.

“What’s going on?” Baize Shao asked, his curiosity piqued as he approached.

“Group Leader Bai, this fellow insists on barging in, and he got physical when we tried to stop him,” the guard replied, recognizing Baize Shao.

Baize Shao studied the man—about thirty, scruffy and unkempt, seemingly hunched within his coat. Thanks to the man’s hat, Baize Shao could only glimpse his profile, which struck him as oddly familiar, though he couldn’t immediately place it. Still, his instincts told him he’d met this man before.

“You must know what kind of place this is,” Baize Shao said. “Breaking in here could cost you your life.”

“I’m here to see Chief Liu. I’ve already called ahead,” the man replied, lifting his head just enough for his gaze to meet Baize Shao’s beneath the brim.

“Chief Liu? Which Chief Liu?” Baize Shao asked offhandedly.

“Who else? Intelligence Section Chief Liu Peiru,” the man answered with a light chuckle.

Baize Shao glanced at the guard.

The guard, meeting Baize Shao’s gaze, explained with a wry smile, “The problem is, we didn’t receive any call from Chief Liu, and this guy tried to force his way in. We had no choice but to restrain him, and he even fought back.”

Just as Baize Shao turned to address the mysterious man, a familiar voice called out beside him, “Xiao Bai, you’re here too?”

Baize Shao turned to see the newcomer. “Yes, I was just about to buy cigarettes, but ran into this troublemaker. By the way, you said I’m also here—what’s that about?”

“Well, the troublemaker you mentioned, I came for him. My uncle specifically asked to see him, so I was sent to fetch him,” Liu Xiaobing explained, glancing at the man at the entrance.

“You’re Old Tian?”

“I am. Chief Liu sent you to get me?” the man confirmed, eyeing Liu Xiaobing.

Liu Xiaobing nodded, then said to Baize Shao, “Xiao Bai, my uncle’s waiting for this man. I’ll take him up now.”

“All right, go ahead,” Baize Shao replied.

After Liu Xiaobing left, Baize Shao resumed his walk, yet his mind lingered on the man’s profile. He was certain he’d seen him before, but try as he might, the memory eluded him.

But as he stepped beyond the bureau’s gates, a sudden flash of insight struck him. He finally realized who Liu Xiaobing had just escorted. Whirling around, he shouted after Liu Xiaobing, “Xiaobing!”